Although huge sales at large retail chains and online purchasing may be fast becoming the norm for holiday shoppers everywhere, the 2012 holiday season showed several Macomb retailers that there are still plenty of people looking to shop locally.

Linda Cox, owner of New Copperfield's Book Service, 120 N. Side Square, said she's never had as many customers express their desire to shop locally as she did this past season. Some even told her that they were at New Copperfield's specifically because they would rather spend their money in a local establishment.

"Having people tell me that is pretty significant," she said. "It means the message has gotten across."

Cox said the store's revenue at the end of 2012 was slightly higher than the same time last year.

"We had some months that were were significantly better, some that were a little worse," she said. "We came out at the end of 2012 up a little from where we were last year."

Jane Reynolds, owner of Nostalgia, 129 N. Randolph, said her store did well compared to last year's holiday shopping season.

"It was a good Christmas season for us," she said. "We feel good about it."

Reynolds said overall, Nostalgia came out of the 2012 shopping season on a level equal to last year's numbers.

Many of the sales, Reynolds said, were from Christmas ornaments and decorations. Since the holidays are now officially over, she said plenty of customers are stopping by to browse and pick up some of the leftover holiday decorations Nostalgia still has in stock.

Reynolds told customers Friday afternoon that all of the leftover decorations are located on the store's second level and are currently marked at 50 percent off.

Sue Melton, owner of the Diamond Den, 35 E. Side Square, said her jewelry store also came in about even with last year's holiday numbers.

"Flat's the new perfect," she said. "We thought this Christmas would be worse."

Melton said the economy, among other factors, caused her to worry that the store would not do as well as last year. However, she said the sale of several large diamonds, as well as the popularity of sterling silver and black and white diamonds, helped the Diamond Den meet its holiday goals.

"The big diamonds always help make the goal," she said.

Melton wouldn't speculate on whether her business increases each holiday season.